Insect-trap.



J. J. NOONAN. INSECT TRAP. APPLICATION FILED DEC-10.1914

, Patenmd Nov. 2, 1915..

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN AM S NOONAN, or OBION, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR or oNE-HALE 'ro THOMAS o.

MORRIS. 0E UNION CITY, TENNESSEE.

INSECT-TRAP.

Application fi ed December 10, 1914.

T 0 all whom it in (11 concern Be it known that I, JOHN J. NOONAN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Obion, in the county of ()bion and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Insect-Traps, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in insect traps, and is designed particularly for use on a farm, in an orchard, or in a garden, and other isolated places, where it is desired to destroy moths, insects, etc.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a practical device adapted for -use in isolated places where power such as steam or electricity are either inaccessible or otherwise unattainable,.by means of which insects, moths, etc., may be attracted to the device and then trapped and destroyed, in order to rid the farm, orchard, or garden of the pcst'to which they are subjected by the insects.

The invention consists essentially in certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts by which a facile, economical and efficient device-is produced for the purpose specified.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention constructed according to the best mode I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention. but it will of course be understood that minor changes and alterations may he made within the spirit of my claim withoutdeparting from my invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dcviee constructed according to and embodying the novel features of my invention. Fig. 2 is a central vertical sectional view of a. section of a funnel forming part of my invention. I

In the preferred embodiment of my inventi-on as illustrated in the drawings, the whole device is supported upon a heavy steel tank, as 1 adapted to be. charged with compressed air, 'an inlet 2 being indicated in the upper head of the tank. Preferably the tan ;'is cylindrical in form, and in addition to Y oi'ming the compressed air reservoir, the tank provides a. substantial and stable base Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

Serial No. 876.417.

for supporting the operating parts of the Insect trap and destroyer.

Centrally located of the upper head of the tank is an outlet pipe 3 provided with a usual valve or cook 4. and projecting directly upward from the top of the tank. This pipe is braced by a series of radiating rods which are secured to thetop of the tank and converge at a sleeve 6 fitted about the pipe 3. This sleeve or bushing forms part of a bearing (which may well be a ball bearing) upon which a beam 7 is adapted to revolve, and the pipe 3 passes upwardly through this bearing sleeve and the beam.

Above the beam a coupling is made at 8, between the outlet pipe for the compressed air and a flexible pipe 9, which latter may be a rubber hose of acceptable type. At. the free end of this hose a nozzle l is fixed, and the hose -is supported by means of a loop 11 which is passed around a brace rod 12 secured to the beam 7 and an upright same shaft, and a smaller pinion 19 on the fan shaft 20. The cupped wheel 16, it will be noted is in operative proximity to the nozzle of the compressed air pipe to receive impulses of air therefrom. and be revolved thereby. In this manner the escaping air from the nozzle of the air pipe revolves the cupped wheel, the gear, the pinion and the fan, the parts being geared up so that the fan is revolved rapidly to create a draft of air therefrom.

The insect trap is supported on the beam at the other side of its center of rotation. This trap includes a metallic funnel 21 sup ported from the la'uln by a rod or post 22 and having in its large open end or mouth a lantern 2 suspended from the top portion of a metal band or ring 21. At one end of the funnel a sningiitg gate 25 is hinged as at 213. and this gate is preferably of light material as celluloid so that it may be swung IOU a. closed top and bottom, and may be eqyipped with suitable doors.

At the extreme endof the beam, opposite the motor, a. vane 29 is attached, to keep the .tlevice in operative position in the wind.

" the vane and the beam which supports the devices is revoluble on the supporting. tank.

The motor, it will be readily understood, is operated by the discharge of compressed air from the tank and the fan is revolved to create a draft directed straight toward the lighted end of the conical funnel. The light attracts the insects and when they come withirf the currents of the air draft from the fan the insects are driven into the conical funnel. The gate of the funnel itwill be remembered is sufliciently light so that it is swung back and held back by the air currents, and these air currents carry the insects through the conical funnel to the screen receiver or receptacle from whence they cannot escape. When the air currents stop from any cause, the gate swings back to place and exit from the receiver is closed. When it is desired to empty the receiver, it is detached from the beam and conical funnel, its door opened and the destroyed insects may be emptied out;

The portions of the sectional funnel 21,

and preferably the outer section, has its in- 1 ner wall coated with paint or enamel to provide a .smoothsurface so that thereivvill be no lodging placefor the insects within the funnel, and "the; surface of the funnel also provides a reflector for the light in the open mouth of the funnel. The funnel at its smaller end projects well within the screen receptacle, to prevent the moth, or other insect climbing up the wall to entrance hole'land escaping, and if ,de-

sired, a door may be provided at the outer.

or larger end of the inner section of the funnel to be closedwhen the receptacle is detached for emptying the insects that have funnel facing the fan and supported diametrically opposite thereto,- a light in the open end, a hinged freely swinging door closing the other end of the funnel, a screen receptacle inclosing the door end of the funnel, and a vane for holding the bea i parallel with the direction of natural w' d currents.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN JAMES NOONAN. Witnesses: V

THOLIAS OVERTON Mourns, E'rm-zwmm Amoxso Momns. 

